It probably doesn't matter what the Jazz do at this point. They're down 2-0 in their best-of-seven series against Los Angeles, and even though they're hanging fairly tough, it's obvious they don't have the juice.
The Lakers are long and athletic (Jerry Sloan's term), which has proven insurmountable. The Jazz are facing Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum with much smaller Carlos Boozer and Jarron Collins. Even when healthy, Mehmet Okur is no match defensively.
Then there's the problem of keeping Lamar Odom out of the lane.
What the Jazz could really use right now is an imposing big man.
Fortunately for them, there's an answer right underneath their noses: Kyrylo Fesenko.
Yeah, like you have a better idea.
This might seem extreme, considering the carefree Ukrainian has played just 226 minutes in the NBA — none in the playoffs. That's like spending 10 minutes in a kitchen and calling yourself a chef. As a rookie last year, he was inactive for all 12 postseason games. Though he was on the roster for both playoff games this year — thanks to Okur's bad hamstring — so far he's been as dormant as Mt. Fuji. He doesn't leave the bench except for timeouts and fire drills.
So I asked him at practice the other day if this was maybe a good place for "Fes Time."
After all, the Jazz are undersized, and Fesenko has a 7-foot-4 wingspan, with a 9-4 standing reach.
"My job is to play," said Fes with a laugh. "To think is the coach's job. So go ask him those questions."
Heaven knows, Fesenko isn't the answer to all the Jazz's problems. He's slow on defense and unsure offensively. And while "nasty" has been Sloan's mantra in this year's playoffs, that's not a good description of Fes. He fits more in the "playful" category.
Still, it's not like the Jazz have stopped anyone yet. L.A. scored 62 points in the first half of Game 1, 66 in Game 2. The Lakers made 18 of their first 21 shots and had nine layups, baby-hooks or dunks in the initial 10 minutes of Tuesday's game.
Sloan wants more "nasty?"
Three hundred pounds is pretty nasty — if you can get it headed in the right direction.
According to Fes, he's been working hard for his opportunity. After practice and before games, he's been doing cardio work, lifting weights, honing his shooting and, as he describes it, "doing small things. "
Yet, so far, Sloan hasn't even glanced his way.
Riding the bench is no trial for the gregarious 7-foot-1 Ukrainian, though. He's been enjoying the moment, even when he hasn't been playing. Asked this week if he likes being in L.A. he said, "I love the weather. I luuuuuuv the weather here. It's L.A."
Another thing he loves is the glamor. Nevertheless, he's been careful not to gawk at the movie stars who sit courtside each game.
"I can watch, like, at halftime, or on TV, but when the game is going on, you're so into it, you're so focused, it's hard to look somewhere besides out on the court," he said.
He would, however, make an exception to his non-stargazing policy if a certain honey-haired star of "Friends" appeared courtside.
"I would do it, I'd be really happy if I see Jennifer Aniston," Fes said. "I watch her, like, 25 seasons."
It's safe to say Jen probably hasn't been watching back.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to send him into a game. Point him in the direction of the Laker big men and tell him to get mean. Maybe he'll help out by delivering a couple of hard fouls. It could mean a return trip to Los Angeles for a Game 5.
At which point, Fes might even get to meet his all-time favorite friend.
e-mail: rock@desnews.com